WASHINGTON — Iceland is on its way to "eliminate" people with Down syndrome, a
report from CBS News explained, causing uproar in the pro-life community over
the high numbers of abortions following prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

JERUSALEM — With tensions still high in the Old City
following weeks of violence, Father Firas Aridah completed his work at the
Latin Patriarchate early so he could leave Jerusalem for his West Bank parish
before any possible violence began.

Traffic engineers at the Oregon Department of Transportation, a few
end-of-the-world groups and possibly ophthalmologists around the state
are talking about the total eclipse of the sun on Monday morning, Aug.
21, in apocalyptic terms. Catholics need not join in.

Many well-intentioned people who serve the church insert this ninth beatitude into their work — to the detriment of their ministry. Effective leadership instead is based on radical love, which is grounded in trust, does not eschew conflict and allows for commitment, accountability and, ultimately, results.

The conference, which includes the state’s Catholic bishops, says
House Bill 3391 “forces insurance companies to cover abortion on demand
and it forces all Oregon taxpayers to help finance an extremist abortion
agenda that does not enjoy majority support.”

WASHINGTON — Iceland is on its way to "eliminate" people with Down syndrome, a
report from CBS News explained, causing uproar in the pro-life community over
the high numbers of abortions following prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

The Catholic Church's anti-poverty arm, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, funds programs that get at the roots of unfair social systems. See scenes from a grants banquet in Portland, Oregon.

WATCH: Archdiocese announces grants that tackle poverty at roots

The Catholic Church's anti-poverty arm, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, funds programs that get at the roots of unfair social systems. See scenes from a grants banquet in Portland, Oregon.

WATCH: Archdiocese announces grants that tackle poverty at rootsThe Catholic Church's anti-poverty arm, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, funds programs that get at the roots of unfair social systems. See scenes from a grants banquet in Portland, Oregon.

WATCH: Portland Pickles reach out to churches and there is a Catholic flavor at the ballpark

At a humble Portland ballpark, there are Catholics all over. The Portland Pickles have a wonderfully whacky name, but deep ideas come into play.

WATCH: Portland Pickles reach out to churches and there is a Catholic flavor at the ballpark At a humble Portland ballpark, there are Catholics all over. The Portland Pickles have a wonderfully whacky name, but deep ideas come into play.

WATCH: A century of faith and fun

St. Anthony Parish in Southeast Portland has adapted over the century to better serve the people, and joy has always been part of the plan

WATCH: A century of faith and funSt. Anthony Parish in Southeast Portland has adapted over the century to better serve the people, and joy has always been part of the plan

WATCH: Pentecost by smart phone

One in a string of efforts at unity, parish uses an app so all can pray in their language

WATCH: Pentecost by smart phoneOne in a string of efforts at unity, parish uses an app so all can pray in their language

WATCH: Here's to you, Fr. Robinson

After 101 semesters at Jesuit High, and showing up for almost everything, the history teacher leaves his post

WATCH: Here's to you, Fr. RobinsonAfter 101 semesters at Jesuit High, and showing up for almost everything, the history teacher leaves his post

With this column I begin a closer look at the six pastoral priorities for the Archdiocese of Portland that flow from our pastoral assembly held last fall. As you will recall, the pastoral assembly gathered the priests and pastoral council representatives from the parishes of the archdiocese in order to discuss and settle upon these priorities for the next three years. The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council has discussed the input received at the assembly and has fine-tuned these priorities at our last two meetings.

The first pastoral priority is catechesis and faith formation. As with all of the pastoral priorities, five specific initiatives have been identified based on the input received at the pastoral assembly.